DRL launches generic Revlimid drug in US market

Hyderabad: Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd, a city-based pharmaceutical company on Thursday announced the launch of Lenalidomide capsules, a therapeutic equivalent generic version of Revlimid (lenalidomide) capsules, in the US market. The drug is approved by the U S Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

With this volume-limited launch, Dr Reddy's said it is eligible for first-to-market, 180 days of generic drug exclusivity for Lenalidomide capsules in 2.5 mg and 20 mg strengths. "We are pleased with the first-to-market launch of two of our six strengths of Lenalidomide capsules with 180 day market exclusivity," says Marc Kikuchi, CEO, North America Generics, Dr Reddy's Laboratories. "Bringing a more affordable generic version to market creates greater patient access for this important drug."

In relation to the patent of the branded drug, as informed by the drug maker earlier, Celgene, the makers of Revlimid (lenalidomide) capsules and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb, agreed to provide Dr Reddy's with a license to sell volume-limited amounts of generic lenalidomide capsules in the U S in settlement of all outstanding claims of its litigation.